Embarking on a Gorilla tracking safari in May unveils a unique experience during what is typically considered a low season. In this detailed guide, we provide all the essential information for those planning to visit Uganda and highlight the advantages of trekking Mountain Gorillas in the enchanting month of May.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a sanctuary in Uganda that shelters over half of the remaining Mountain Gorilla population, boasts 18 habituated Gorilla families available for trekking every day throughout the year. If Gorilla tracking is a dream yet to be fulfilled, there’s no better time to realize it than in May.
The month of May, characterized by the rainy season, offers distinct advantages. Gorilla trekking becomes more accessible as the Gorillas tend to stay around the slopes, making the trek shorter due to an abundance of available food. Unlike the dry season when Gorillas ascend the mountains in search of food, May provides an opportunity for a more relaxed trekking experience.
Furthermore, May allows you to savor Gorilla trekking without the usual crowds. With fewer than 8 people in your Gorilla tracking family, the experience becomes more intimate and personal.
It’s crucial to note that Bwindi forest, being a rainforest, may experience rain at any time, even during the dry season, due to changing weather patterns attributed to global warming. However, rain predominantly falls during the night and early morning, ensuring that Gorilla trekking activities proceed uninterrupted throughout the day.
To stay warm and dry during your Gorilla trekking adventure in May, even with changing weather conditions, pack essential items such as waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, nylon jeans or waterproof trousers, long-sleeved shirts, warm socks, a hat, a waterproof daypack, and a walking stick or porter to lighten your load. Carrying two liters of water and a packed lunch is also advisable.
To secure your Gorilla permit for May, simply contact Trek Africa Expeditions. We will check permit availability on your preferred dates and pre-purchase them for you. Provide us with the exact date and year you plan to undertake your Gorilla trek in May. We will then verify availability with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the body responsible for issuing Gorilla permits in Uganda.
Once we confirm the availability of Gorilla permits, send us your names as they appear on your passport and your nationality. We will forward this information to the Uganda Wildlife Authority to facilitate the issuance of your Gorilla permits. An invoice for the full payment of the permits will be sent to you, and our team member will proceed to pay for your May Gorilla permits.
Upon payment for your Gorilla permit at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, our team member will obtain a receipt detailing the dates and the Gorilla trekking sector/region. This information will be promptly scanned and sent to you for your records. Gorilla permits, which are printed cards, are typically issued a few weeks before the scheduled Gorilla trekking date.
For comprehensive information about Gorilla trekking in May and Gorilla permits, feel free to reach out to us at Trek Africa Expeditions. We are dedicated to serving you and ensuring your May Gorilla tracking experience exceeds expectations.